“Building on the success of the Smart Fortwo in the United States, we are excited to take the Smart brand to a new level by introducing the BRABUS model and BRABUS accessories to Smart Fortwo enthusiasts,” said Dave Schembri, president of Smart USA. “This car has always been about personal expression, and as we approach our first anniversary of sales in the United States, BRABUS adds a new dimension, extending our brand into new areas of customization and personalization.”

The Smart Fortwo BRABUS is the first vehicle offered in the U.S. from a partnership between Smart and German tuning specialist BRABUS, and will have a limited production run in early 2009. The model includes sports chassis and suspension components, sportier exhaust tuning, 10 mm lower body, improved transmission shift tuning, and unique styling cues including 15- and 17-inch “Monoblock VII” alloy wheels, front and side skirts, brushed aluminum pedals, and halogen projector beam headlights.

At its press conference, Smart USA also recapped its first ten months in business as it approaches its one-year anniversary in the United States. The company reported that it reached a landmark 20,000 vehicle sales in October, just nine months after the Fortwo went on sale, and of the 37 countries where Smart is sold, the U.S. has already become the third-highest sales market, following only Germany and Italy, where it has been available for ten years. The company opened 70 retail outlets in 35 states, including cities such as Omaha, Nebraska and Jackson, Mississippi, due to high customer demand and acceptance in those areas.